TAKE EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER – Philippians 4:6-7

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

This is one of the most comforting and encouraging texts in the Bible. Believers can always find renewed strength here. The wonderful truth is that God is present with us always. He is near to every believer every moment of every day and He knows what we are going through.

Be anxious for nothing stands in contrast to worrying which reveal a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty and power. As believers, we need to realize that our confidence in life does not come from ourselves but from the all powerful God of the universe. That is why Paul tells us not to worry about anything. If we worry we are basically saying that God cannot handle it.  By contrast we are to take everything to God in prayer and His peace will guard our hearts and minds. Believers, who stand firm in Christ, respond to trials and endure hardship with thankful prayer.

Jesus told His followers in the Sermon on the Mount. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… Do not worry about tomorrow… (Matthew 6:25-34). We have a heavenly Father who loves us, cares for us, and is able to help and support us – so why worry or be anxious?

But in everything by prayer and supplication. Paul emphasizes our great need to take all things without exception to God in prayer. As soon as we have a need or problem we are to take it to the Lord in prayer. We present our requests to the Lord with trust, relying upon His assured and gracious provision to help us in our times of need.

Recall Abraham’s servant at the spring in Nahor asking for specific guidance in finding a bride for Isaac (Genesis 24:12-14), or Hezekiah spreading the letter of his enemy Senacharib before the Lord in the Temple (Isaiah 37:14-20).

With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. The attitude we are to have when presenting our supplications to the Lord is one of thankfulness trusting Him for the answers that He will reveal to us through His Holy Spirit. God causes everything to work together for our good and His glory.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God will give us a peace beyond understanding that will guard our heart and mind as we endure and stand firm in the Lord. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us that, “God will not leave us or forsake us.”

We can have this wonderful peace as believers. God will answer our requests in His way and time, and will give us His peace which surpasses all our comprehension. It is a peace that is greater than anything we could ever imagine. It is a stable and securing factor that will give us rest in our sovereign Lord. “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

There needs to be daily surrender, and a renewed commitment to the only One who guides us and keep us strong. Once we have peace with God, we can then go on to enjoy the peace of God, day by day. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

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